Thank you for your messages, emails, texts and comments about your thoughts on last week’s Just Breathe post all about making decisions and reflecting before jumping into any big life change in order to ensure you’re success with lasting change.

I love that.

I love that we’re on this journey together, even if our journeys look so different. I love that you are being encouraged to intentionally begin to make some healthy changes in your life right along with me. It’s an honor to hear your heart and share in our successes and challenges along the way, dear friend.

…and I hope you’re ready for a bit more reflection today.

Because a goal without a plan is just a wish.

It’s been said that without a vision, people perish. And a good plan is merely a vision thought out.

Last week I worked hard to reflect and establish my vision for this journey. I made decisions that led me to my “Must List” as I journey toward intentionally living a simple life through minimalism.

Craig and I’s list might evolve as we continue on this journey, but here it is as it stands right now. We have it posted many places around us so that we can constantly reflect on it throughout our days:

We must get out of debt.

We must help our environment every day.

We must live healthy lives every day.

We must grow deeper spiritually every day.

We must stop wasting our money.

We must spend less time on screens every day.

We must do more of what makes us happy every day.

We must get rid of all this junk.

We must exercise at least four times per week.

We must fuel our bodies well at every meal.

We must live in the moment every day.

We must contribute to others in a meaningful way every day.

We must be grateful and thankful every day.

We must build deeper, loving relationships every day.

What do any of these things have to do with minimalism?

To me, minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom:

from fear.

from worry.

from overwhelm.

from guilt.

from depression.

from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around.

Real, lasting, forever freedom.

It is the means by which you can get rid of all the unnecessary stuff in your life so that you can focus on what’s important; by removing the excess from our lives, we can focus on these musts, and with the clutter gone, we can focus on living a more meaningful life.

Our “Must List “ is our vision of how we want to live our lives, and we are choosing to use minimalism as a tool to turn this vision into a reality.

What’s your vision?

It might have to do with intentionally living a simple life. Like ours does…. But it might not. Maybe your vision is for your family, your job or your ministry. Maybe its for your health, your relationships or your finances, specifically.

Whatever your vision, these same principles and strategies can help you make this lasting change in your life once and for all!

So, like us….

Once you have your vision in place, it is now time to plan your journey. This wouldn’t be a proper Coach Meg article if I didn’t have you do some reflection, right? ;)

Here are a few reflection questions for you to spend some time with today before jumping into action working toward making your vision a reality:

What is standing in the way of my musts?

When did I give so much meaning to my distractions?

What (or who) might get in my way of making my vision a reality?

What is truly important in my life?

Why am I discontented?

Who is the person I want to become?

How will I define my success?

How will my life improve once I clear the distractions (clutter)?

So, get out your favorite journal and pen and grab a cup of coffee. Sit down in your favorite spot and spend some intentional time today deeply reflecting on these questions to ensure your success on living your very best life. Please spend as much time as you need to plan and reflect before jumping into any action (just don’t get stuck there!).

My responses:

What is standing in the way of my musts?

I have the potential to stand in my own way. I am so tired and weary of this season I'm walking in. I have to fight my tendencies to self-medicate with spending, eating, and disengaging from people. None of those things ever make me feel better, but they have been my go-to's for most of my life. When I am feeling dissatisfied with different aspects of my life, those are the behaviors I naturally want to do. I have not been leaning on these crutches in this season, which has been so difficult, and it is something i have to intentionally fight every single day.

When did I give so much meaning to my distractions?

...When this lonely season kept feeling heavier and lonelier. I have done everything I know to do to center myself spiritually and intentionally care for myself during this time. I know in my heart that living a simple life is the answer I have been seeking to clear these distractions once and for all lift this heaviness.

What (or who) might get in my way of making my vision a reality?

Honestly, our dogs. It is a challenge maneuvering life around their special needs, but that is where making a plan and being intentional about walking it out is crucial. I will be the one to get in my own way by focusing on it being "too hard" instead of looking for the way around every obstacle.

What is truly important in my life?

For me, this is simple. To love God and love others. To me relationship is everything. The lighter my life is, the more I can be free to do both ridiculously well.

Why am I discontented?

I live in the desert and I can't park my car in the garage because the garage is full of STUFF! These cars get HOT when they are uncovered, friends! Seriously though.... I yearn to live free to be able to give and go and be wherever I am needed and that is not easy to do right now because of our debt and having too much of so much. My soul needs cleansed and overall my life must feel lighter for me to live in this freedom I seek.

Who is the person I want to become?

She is giving and 100% free of all financial debt. She has enough in savings to feel safe, but otherwise gives freely to others as she feels led.... of her time, of her money, of her talents. All of her. She is centered, poised, energetic, happy, and light in every aspect of her life.